An Invitation to Introduce Yourself
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Lao-Tzu, The Way of Lao-Tzu
Chinese philosopher (604 BC - 531 BC)
Let’s take the first step of our China journey together by getting to know one another. Talking about yourself doesn’t have to intimidating. Maybe tell us why you why you are interested in learning more about China and why you love teaching or let us know about your favorite pastime, your family or your favorite pet. Just share a bit about you! Please do include your name, you school and teaching assignment and your city of residence.
Hi! Introduce yourself by clicking on 'Post Comments'
ReplyDeletehi all,
ReplyDeleteI'm Robin from Kyle (Hays HS). I just got back from a planning meeting for the 2010 San Antonio-Austin Geography Educators conference (with Joe O). It's scheduled for Feb 20 in San Antonio. Hope everyone can attend - maybe we can meet up and get to know each other.
Hello everyone! My name is Alison Bencivenga and I teach World Cultures and Geography to 6th graders and Benold Middle School in Georgetown, TX. I was born and raised in New York City, but I fit the adage that “I wasn’t born in Texas but I got here as soon as I could.” I have lived here since 1993 and can’t imagine wanting to live anywhere else! (This current cold snap feels more like NYC than TX—thinking of asking for a rebate!) I am unbelievably excited about our trip, but more than a little nervous as well.I will look forward to meeting everyone in April!
ReplyDeletehello everyone,
ReplyDeleteI'm Terri from Bushland Middle School. Bushland is the largest geographic school district in Texas. We have a lot of land, but not a lot of students. Our student body is very homogenous and their world view is very small1! I'm looking forward to broadening their horizons by bringing China to them. Is anyone else going a middle school teacher?
Hi there!
ReplyDeleteI'm Jackie. I'm originally from Pennsylvania, but now I live in the Rio Grande Valley and teach at IDEA College Prep in Donna, TX. I teach 10th grade World History. Most of my students are low income and definitely haven't traveled very far. I also can't wait to introduce them more intimately to a culture that is so different from theirs.
Hello everyone,
ReplyDeleteI am also a transplant—I moved to Texas from New York in 1993 and my only regret is not having been able to get here sooner! I am also a middle school teacher—I teach 6th graders at Benold Middle School in Georgetown, and I know that their most meaningful and memorable lessons take place when I can put a personal face on what they are learning.I am thrilled to have been selected for this opportunity, and I am looking forward to meeting all of you in April!
Ni Hao Ya'll,
ReplyDeleteI'm Dustin and I teach at Trimble Tech HS near downtown Fort Worth. Like Jackie said, a lot of our students are also low income and always benefit from more exposure to other cultures around the world.
I just finished reading China Road by Rob Gifford and I would like to recommend it to the group. The author retraces the old Silk Road and he uses a nice mix of humor and seriousness. I recommend it because it finishes in Urumqi, a city that we will visit. He provides some interesting commentary about the rapid changes taking place there.
Looking forward to meeting everyone!
Last month's Nat'l Geographic had a great article on the Uygers in Urumqi. As usual, beautiful images. Can't wait to see the real thing!
ReplyDeleteA NYT article on Urumqi. Details the government’s efforts to quell the unrest and avoid a repeat of last summer’s riots.
ReplyDeleteHello! As a young girl of the late 50s, I planned to be a teacher when I grew up. My female teachers all returned to school in the fall with stories of travel to far away lands. The women in my neighborhood, including my mother, never traveled any farther than the Piggly Wiggly. I truly believed that being a teacher would assure me a chance to travel. After many years as a teacher, I will be crossing out another item on my "bucket list" thanks to this project. I teach World Geography, U.S. history and sponsor the yearbook at Yantis ISD. We are a small 1A school in rural East Texas. I will enjoy sharing my cultural experiences with our (predominately white-about 28% Hispanic)students. I look forward to our adventure and sharing your friendship!
ReplyDeleteJust wondering if anyone has any ideas about blogging from China--when I want to Korea we had good access to the internet, but I used Google for the platform for a blog, which may not be possible from China. Has anyone used a platform for blogging that we might be more likely to be able to access?
ReplyDeletewe use wordpress at our school , so that's probably where i will post, if possible(http://texasgeography.wordpress.com)
ReplyDeleteMy students have asked about video chats, etc, so i, too, am wondering about access. Urumqi has been completely shut down since last july, no access for anyone afaik, even cell & text services were turned off. texting is back, but still no internet.
google was never big in china, but there are other providers, and according to the wsj beijing is going wireless
thank for the recommendation, I will check it out!
ReplyDeletehi all,
ReplyDeletei am currently reading a Peter Hessler book - Country Driving: A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory - and its great. Lots of info on culture, history, geography, mostly about nothern China.
Hello! I'm Cynthia, I teach W Geo at a 4A school in San Angelo. Like some of you, I am a TX transplant: born in IL and traveled for about 23 years in the US Air Force. I am really hoping they will allow me to travel with y'all, but if I don't get that opportunity, I am excited about learning a lot about China through your experience!
ReplyDeleteI am Edward Tierney in Austin, Texas. I teach World History at a large public high school but I am involved with a smaller learning community which emphasizes a global education, or skills needed for a 21st century globalized world. I think the China Seminar is going to bring a lot to my school and my community. I have finished "Wild Swans" and I loved it, and I have started "China Rise"- I am finding it a dense but fun policy wonk book. Also related to our upcoming trip to China, I just recently took 16 high school students on an EF Tours trip through Japan. After extensive travel in Europe and Latin America, it was my first trip to Asia, but it felt like I was traveling for the first time. Asian culture is so new and exciting to me right now and I look forward to comparing and contrasting China and Japan. I look forward to meeting everyone and our conversations as a new world, er maybe an old one, opens up to us.
ReplyDelete